The World/Inferno Friendship Society


The World/Inferno Friendship Society was an American band from Brooklyn, New York. Its style merged punk, soul, klezmer and jazz, while its collective membership featured horns, piano and guitar and had a membership of about 40 players, of whom only about seven to ten active members usually performed at a time. The group was led by singer Jack Terricloth, who was the only constant during the group's history. Terricloth was known for his pointed commentary during shows; his monologues touched on politics and his transformation from the "old school."
Its lyrics often concerned historical or biographical subjects, such as Weimar-era Germany, Peter Lorre, Jeffrey Lee Pierce of the Gun Club, Paul Robeson, Leni Riefenstahl, Dante Alighieri, Philip K. Dick, and Jonathan Fire*Eater.
Terricloth died in May 2021.
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Hallowmas

The World/Inferno Friendship Society's annual Halloween show, Hallowmas, was its most-anticipated performance of the year. The event was known for its elaborate planning and surprises. Past Hallowmases have included a burning effigy of Mr. Terricloth constructed and set alight by a large, caustic cat; an ethereal string quartet performing throughout the evening in the rear of the hall; circus performances and fire breathing by the Odd Child Uprising troupe and a cadaverous marching band materializing on stage for the finale, "Pumpkin Time". The song includes street rallies, and references The Great Pumpkin from the Peanuts comic strip.

Members

NameInstrumentYearsOther groups
Jack TerriclothLead vocals, misc. instruments1996–2021Sticks and Stones, P.E.D.
Scott HollingsworthKeyboards, bass, programming, producer, engineer1996–1999, 2012–2020Sticks and Stones
Aaron HammesBaritone saxophone, guitar, vocals2012–2021The Del Moroccos, Deal's Gone Bad, The Stranger, Res Novae
Rafael CalderonTrumpet2014–2021The Bandulos, Rising Sun Gang, DYT, Cause and the Effects
Jeffrey YoungViolin2014–2020thingNY, Valerie Kuehne and the Wasps Nests
Gina Marie RodriguezElectric bass, backing vocalsApril–May 2005, 2018–2021Moisturizer, Madam Robot and the Lust Brigade
Brendan FureyElectric guitar2018–2021Senator Horse, Future Ghosts, Off Target, Teorema
Felipe TorresDrums2018–2021Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Zire's War, Reagan Youth, The Monkees, The Davy Jones Band, Res Novae
Matt DallowAccordion, keyboards, theremin2018–2021Amour Obscur, Vic Thrill, Dead Man's Terminal, The Pendulum Swings, The Trummytones, Space Robot Scientists

NameInstrumentYears ActiveOther groups
Ellie GoodmanViolin2020–2021Speakeasy Streets, Teorema
Jonny Zuckerman Guitar2019–2020Powdermaker, Kung Fury, The Shivering Brigade, Res Novae
Matthew LandisKeyboards2008–2015, 2017–2019Minor Arcana, Poison Street, Teorema
Benjamin ReichmanTrumpet, guitar2017–2019Glowing-Eyed Friends, Future Ghosts
Francis MorinGuitar2010–2018Voltaire, Serpenteens, Res Novae, Black Rose Burning
Sandra MalakBass, vocals2006–2019LeftΓΆver Crack, The Working Mothers, SHLSHKD, Twitcher, Elegant Everyone
Mora Precarious/Jess TownsendDrums2010–2018Parlour Bells, Ketman, Trabants
Peter HessTenor saxophone, clarinet, percussion1998–2011, 2013–2014, 2019Guignol, Slavic Soul Party, Anti-Social Music, Balkan Beat Box, Capital M, The Peter Hess Quartet, Asphalt Orchestra
Rebecca SchlappichViolin2011–2015, 2019Kiss Kiss, Mariachi El Bronx, River City Extension, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Leslie WackerAlto saxophone2010–2012Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
Ken ThomsonBaritone saxophone, clarinet2005–2010Gutbucket, Asphalt Orchestra, Anti-Social Music, Signal
Raja AzarPiano, backing vocals2006–2010Jollyship the Whiz-Bang
Benjamin KotchDrums1997–2007, 2010, 2019Eve's Plum
Lucky StranoGuitar1996–2010, 2019Morning Glory, Sewage, Devastation Wagon, Banner of Hope
Maura CorriganAlto saxophone1998–2010, 2019Georgia Redcoat Marching Band, Mod Alpert
Brian ViglioneDrums2008–2009, 2018, 2019The Dresden Dolls, Nine Inch Nails, HUMANWINE, Voltaire, Violent Femmes, Morning Glory
Kevin RaczkaDrums2007–2008Jollyship The Whiz-Bang, Hungry March Band
Ara BabajianDrums2007LeftΓΆver Crack, The Slackers, Star Fucking Hipsters
Semra ErcinPercussion, bells, backing vocals1996–2008, 2019The Working Mothers, Chandeliers, kiss Slash Crooked Smile, Casa de Chihuahua, Kid Casanova
Franz NicolayAccordion, piano, backing vocals2001–2008, 2010–2011, 2019Guignol, The Hold Steady, Anti-Social Music, Against Me!, Voltaire
Yula BeeriElectric bass, backing vocals1999–2006, 2019Nanuchka, Star Fucking Hipsters, Yula & the eXtended Family
Karen Kanan CorreaBass, backing vocals, viola2005–2006Demander
Erik ProftShouts2007Planned Collapse, Kama Rupa, Missing Foundation
Steve PaeletElectric bass2002-
Dan BaileyBaritone saxophone1998–2005, 2019Milk Money, The Grown-Ups, The Panic, The Maspeth Holders
Kevin CorzettTenor saxophone2007–2009Reverend Glasseye, Ketman, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band
John MooreBaritone saxophone1997–1998-
Brian PearlPiano2000–2001Matt Pond PA
Ms. Xtal ChaosTuba1996–1998-
Detroit RiosPercussion1997–1998-
Stephe PolierTenor saxophone1997–1999-
Geoff BlytheTenor saxophone1999Dexys Midnight Runners, The Bureau, Black 47, The TKO Horns
Sam BurnsTenor saxophone1999–2000-
Rio Glenn Backing vocals1999–2000-
Kika Von KluckBacking vocals1997–1998-
Sioux KovaxBacking vocals1996–1997 -
Mike WagnerTrombone1999Antibalas, King ChangΓ³, Moshiach Oi!
Klaus SchankTrombone1998Scrapy
Lauren BlackTrumpet1997–1999Kenn Firpo Rent Explosion, 1,000 Pounds of People
David PatrikiosMarimba, banjo1997–1999Serpico, Milhouse, Greensleep, The Realistics, The Flying Aces
Chris LeoTrombone1997The Van Pelt, The Sin Eaters, The Lapse, Native Nod
Dan NeustadtPiano, backing vocalsThe Hold Steady
Jeffrey WengrofskyCabaret Host, Funeral Director, Actor, Bag of Nothing1996–2021Syndicate of Human Image Traffickers
Jon GilchDrumsSticks and Stones

Discography

Albums

Live/compilation albums

EPs

  • International Smashism! – 2001
  • Speak of Brave Men – 2004
  • Me v. Angry Mob – 2005
  • Vox Inferne – 2010
  • Maps, Saints & Just This Side of Way Too Much – 2012
  • Turnstile Comix #2 – 2013

Singles

  • "Tattoos Fade" b/w "Nothing You Begin", Blue Ghost Records
  • "The Models and the Mannequins" b/w "Glamour Ghouls", Gern Blandsten Records
  • "Our Candidate" b/w "All of California and Everyone Who Lives There Stinks", Gern Blandsten
  • "Pumpkin Time" b/w "Ich Errinere Mich an Weimar", Gern Blandsten
  • "I Wouldn't Want to Live in a World Without Grudges" b/w "All the World Is a Stage ", X-Mist Records
  • "Hallowmas 2010", Chunksaah Records
  • "This Packed Funeral"
  • "Freedom Is a Wilderness Made for You and Me"
  • "All I Can Do to Help You with Your Nightmares Is Keep You Up Late"

Unreleased demos

  • A Demonstrational Introduction to the Astral Plane – 1996–1997
  • Powder Waves Goodbye Sessions – 2000
  • A Lexicon of Friends & Enemies – 2004
  • The New Americana Demos – 2008
  • 3 Ring Brain and a Circus Heart – 2010

Other appearances

  • CMJ New Music April 1997 - compilation with CMJ magazine, featuring "Our Candidate"
  • Achtung Autobahn - benefit compilation featuring "Peter Lorre"
  • Against Police Injustice - compilation featuring "Secret Service Freedom Fighting USA"
  • Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 - compilation featuring "The Expatriate Act"
  • Fuck World Trade - album by LeftΓΆver Crack with "Soon We'll Be Dead"
  • Go-Kart vs. The Corporate Giant 4 - compilation featuring a live version of "Tattoos Fade"
  • Hugs for Chelsea - compilation featuring "Freedom Is a Wilderness"